Question

the speed of a nerve impulse in the human body is about 100 m/s. if you accidentally stub your toe in the dark, estimate the time it takes the nerve impulse to travel to your brain. (assume that you are approximately 1.80 m tall and that the nerve impulse travels at uniform speed.)

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the speed - distance - time formula

The formula is $t=\frac{d}{v}$, where $t$ is time, $d$ is distance, and $v$ is speed.

Step2: Identify the values of distance and speed

Assume the distance from the toe to the brain is about $1.80$ m (a reasonable estimate for an average - height person), and the speed of the nerve impulse $v = 100$ m/s.

Step3: Calculate the time

Substitute $d = 1.80$ m and $v=100$ m/s into the formula $t=\frac{d}{v}$, we get $t=\frac{1.80}{100}=0.018$ s.

Answer:

$0.018$ s